Shark Tales

How I Turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business

By: Barbara Corcoran, Bruce Littlefield

Narrated by: Barbara Corcoran

Length: 5 hrs

Publisher's summary

In Shark Tales, Barbara shares her hilarious stories about growing up, getting into trouble, failing miserably, and then starting over again. In each chapter, she comes back to one of her mom's unconventional lessons, and how it applies in the real world of business. Whatever your calling, the homespun lessons that work for Barbara will help you use what you've got to create success in your life. Whether you're just starting out, fighting your way up the career ladder, or re-entering the workforce, Shark Tales is an owner's manual to your most valuable asset.

Growing up, author Barbara Corcoran shared one floor in a three-family house in New Jersey with her parents and nine brothers and sisters. She had few luxuries, but she was blessed with a mother who taught her to have self-confidence. Barbara's mom didn't know much about business, but she understood how the world works and how to make the most of what you've got. After failing at 22 other jobs, Barbara borrowed $1,000 from a boyfriend, quit her job as a diner waitress, and started a tiny real-estate office in New York City. Today, with over $2 billion in revenues, The Corcoran Group in New York's premier real-estate company, and Barbara is richer than her wildest dreams.

©2011 Barbara Corcoran (P)2011 Listen & Live Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Part memoir, part rough guide to business and 100 percent in-your-face glee." ( Working Mother)

"A practical, funny compendium of advice that should stick with any reader." ( USA Today)

"I love this book." (Judge Judy)

One Good Point Made It Worth The Purchase

Would you listen to Shark Tales again? Why?

No. There's a lot of story telling in this book. I was hoping for something that didn't have so much fluff .

Would you be willing to try another book from Barbara Corcoran and Bruce Littlefield ? Why or why not?

No. I didn't like the long drawn out stories, boring. I like condensed information that gets to the point.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Barbara Corcoran?

I think it was nice to have the author of the book narrate it. However, her style at times reminded me of listening to a children's story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No. Nothing really jumped out at me.

Any additional comments?

For me the book was worth the purchase, even though I didn't give it a high rating. Why would I say that? Well, I realized one thing while listening to her, the importance of building a team. Barbra mentioned that she had one thousand brokers working for her company. I get it, it takes duplicating yourself as much as possible sometimes to really make a lot of money.

Honestly, that's all I got from this book.

Should be required reading...

For anyone in real estate. This is practical, no sense, highly entertaining information that is easy to implement.

Enjoyable

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes - it was well written, entertaining and informative

Who was your favorite character and why?

I enjoy Barbara Corcoran and all that she has achieved in her career.

Any additional comments?

I think readers should be aware that Barbara Corcoran's prior two books "Use What You've Got" and "If You Don't Have Big Breasts, Put Ribbons On Your Pigtails: And Other Lessons I Learned From My Mom" are an exact repeat of the first half of Shark Tales! Buyer Beware!

I love Barbara Corcoran, shared so much insite...

She shares the best an most intimate family and business stories. I really sense that she loved and thought of her mother the way I thought of my grandmother. She also reminds me of the smart women my mother is. I look up to her because we share some of the same thoughts about personal success. I would love to learn and grow in my business to the level she has and beyond when possible. Great Story Barbara. Share more!

WOW

finally a book about a woman going from nothing to a billion dollar co. shes funny, KIND! and a great example! WOW! her story is amazing...

Great humor and practical advice

This book was written with such great humor, I couldn't stop listening. Barbara Corcoran is a great storyteller and read it herself. it just made the book very real! I got a lot of valuable lessons from it as well

Shark Takes

Barbara Corcoran is one smart lady! She is a go getter! She came from a wonderful family of 10 children who were loved and cared for and her Mother told her to go get what you want and she did! I love Barbara she's my favorite!

Inspiring

Barbara came from a humble family, but she used her life experiences, creativity, and hard work to build one of the successful real estate brokerage firm in New York. I am inspired by her story.

I wish Barbara would narrate my life.

Barbara has always been my favorite Shark and after listening to her tell the beginning of my story she’s an absolutely idol.

Good story

The first autobiographical part of the story was my favorite. I enjoyed the transition from the early days to the later days. though it wasn't my intention I do think I learned a bit about business and life in general. Very good Barbara thank you.